The State of Our Economy ---

What a world we live in these days.

• Gas Prices Finally Drop
• Fuel tax increases
• Home Values Down
• Property Taxes Up
• Lay-offs Increase
• Inflation up
• War continues
• Families continue to lose loved ones
• More mothers having to find jobs
• More children left at home unattended
• Financial problems increase
• More families separated
• Stress increases
• Health problems increase

In this uncertain world that we live in, there is only one thing that we can be certain of: Our Heavenly Father knows our needs and cares, and He is FAITHFUL!!

He sees all. He hears all.

He sees the couple sitting at home with their stack of bills and checkbook, trying to figure out which bill to pay this week and which bill to put off until the next paycheck; only to do the exact same thing with the next paycheck!

He sees the families that have lost their jobs and wondering how they are going to give Christmas to their children this year.

He sees the mother who put less on her plate to increase more on her child's plate.

He sees the father who cries out to Him asking Him to please help him find a job so he can take care of his family.

He sees the wife who was just told her husband was killed in action today and has now left her a widow and her children without a father.

He sees the mother who stops at the gas station to put gas in her mini-van to take her children to work; and only has $5.00 to spare for fuel.

He sees the family who has just split up because of financial problems.

He sees the father who was just admitted to the hospital for heart attack symptoms due to the stress he's been under.

Where does it end? WHEN does it end?

No one can say for sure when this will end; but there is one thing we can be sure of, and that is GOD CARES. He really truly does; and although it may not seem like it at times, He is in control. Always in control! No matter how bad things may be or how bad they may look, we must believe that He is in control. We must have faith!

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the   faith ful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

1 Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him   faith fully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

2 Samuel 22:26
"To the   faith ful you show yourself   faith ful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless…”

Psalm 25:10
All the ways of the LORD are loving and   faith ful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.''

Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is   faith ful in all he does.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his   faith ful ones. They will be protected forever…”

Psalm 57:10
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your   faith fulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and   faith fulness.

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his   faith fulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his   faith fulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 101:6
My eyes will be on the   faith ful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

Psalm 108:4
For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your   faith fulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 143:1
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your   faith fulness and righteousness come to my relief.

Proverbs 2:8
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his   faith ful ones.

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect   faith fulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Matthew 8:26
He replied, "You of little   faith , why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your   faith   will it be done to you";

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little   faith ," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 25:23
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and   faith ful servant! You have been faith ful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

With all of these scriptures available to us, there is but one that I found that really says it all. It couldn't say it more plainly than this.

In these times of what some call a “recession”, there is but one thing that needs to be said, and Jesus said it himself.

Mark 11:22
"Have   faith   in God," Jesus answered.

No matter what the state of economy looks like, have FAITH in God. Trust that He hears your cry. Trust that your needs are met. Trust that He has your best interest at heart.

During this Holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, give thanks to Him for His love; for his provision; and for his everlasting faithfulness to us.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.   May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.